Advertisement

Italian pair in court in connection with attack which left Liverpool fan Sean Cox fighting for his life

Fighting erupted near The Albert pub, close to the ground, shortly before kick-off. Photo: PA

Two Italian men have been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged in connection with an incident which left a Liverpool football fan fighting for his life.

Filippo Lombardi, 20, and Daniele Sciusco, 29, both appeared at South Sefton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, charged with violent disorder after the Champion’s League semi-final at Anfield on Tuesday.

Lombardi was also charged with wounding/inflicting grievous bodily harm on 53-year-old Sean Cox, who suffered serious head injuries when he was assaulted before the match between Liverpool and Roma.

No pleas were indicated and the case was sent to Liverpool Crown Court, where both men will appear on May 24.

District Judge Jack McGarva said he would not grant bail for the two men, who wore grey tracksuits and spoke through an Italian interpreter.

Father-of-three Mr Cox, from Dunboyne, Co Meath, Ireland, remains in a critical condition after the attack.

Sorry, this content isn't available on your device.

In a statement released by police, his family said: “We want the world to know that Sean is the most amazing and wonderful husband, dad, friend, son, uncle, and brother, and he has brought us all nothing but joy.

“He is a truly decent man who adores Liverpool FC and just came over from his home in County Meath, Ireland, to watch his beloved team.

“We are completely devastated by what has happened to our lovely, caring Sean and all we want is for him to come home to his loving wife and three children.

“We hope Sean makes a full recovery from the injuries he sustained and that we will all be back together soon as a family in Ireland, spending precious time together.”

Members of Mr Cox’s family have flown over from Ireland to maintain a vigil at his bedside in the Walton Neurological Centre in Liverpool.

Sporadic trouble broke out in the city centre before Tuesday’s game, as more than 50,000 fans descended on Anfield, including around 5,000 fans from Italy.

Fighting erupted near The Albert pub, close to the ground, shortly before kick-off, where it is believed Mr Cox was hit with a belt and fell to the ground.

A friend of Mr Cox, Damien O’Reilly, a councillor in Co Meath, described him as a role model and cornerstone of the community and heavily involved in local Gaelic football.

He said: “Everyone is just in shock and we are praying for a speedy recovery.”

Thomas Byrne, an Irish MP, said: “I sincerely hope and pray that Sean Cox, a most decent man of the Dunboyne community, makes a full recovery.”

Liverpool and Roma football clubs both condemned the violence and European governing body Uefa is awaiting further information before deciding its next step.